Architecture Design Portfolio

AKSHAY SHETTY ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO SELECTED WORKS/2009-2014

Contents Selected works/ 2009-2014

01/ Resume 02/ Urban Closed Loop Systems: Biomimicry Approach Undergraduate Thesis 03/ Urban Algorithm 04/ Mall: Retail Environment 05/ Old Age Home 06/ Housing for the Future 07/ Internship Work 08/ Paracentric Canopy 09/ Bottle Art: Best out of Waste I prefer drawing to talking. Drawing is faster, and leaves less room for lies.

Le Corbusier

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AKSHAY SHETTY

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

11/51 Parijat, Shivdham Complex, Dindoshi, Malad(E), Mumbai-400097 Maharashtra, India (+91)9619301386, akshay.shreesha@gmail.com

Bachelor of Architecture: Dr.Baliram Hiray College of Architecute, Mumbai University, India Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) R.N.Podar, Mumbai, India Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) Gokuldham High School, Mumbai, India

2009-2014 February 2009 February 2007

SKILLS Design Softwares : Rhinoceros 3D, AutoCAD, Adobe: Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Sketchup,Vray, Revit Digital Media : Architecture photography, modelling on softwares Physical : Drafting, Drawing media, Model making

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY Thespo Theatre Festival, Quasar Theatre Production, Mumbai Volunteer • Managed the performers, judges and the auditioning process.

• Liaison between the performers and management.

• Band event in charge.

• Managed the backstage crew • Inventory management

June 2010 - December 2010

Morph Lab, Mumbai May 2012 - June 2012 Architect Intern • Designed the landscape for a house in Siliguri, Kolkata, India and created the 3D model on Sketchup 3D for the same.

• Prepared drawings of a redevelopement housing project in Bandra, Mumbai, India. Designed the interiors of a prototype house and created its 3D model using Sketchup 3D software.

• Designed the interiors for a jewelery store in Bandra, Mumbai, India and created the 3D model on Sketchup 3D for the same.

• Designed the elevations of a building in Borivali, Mumbai, India and created the 3D model for the same.

• Prepared drawings of two independent redevelopement housing projects in Mumbai, India.

https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=333837623&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

RESUME

Andblack design studio, Ahmedabad April 2014 - August 2014 Architect Intern • Worked on the interior layout for a Dental Clinic in Surat.

• Prepared detailed drawings and design presentations for a Residence in Surat. Created 3D model of the project on Rhinoceros 3D. • Worked on layout for TVS blessing ceremony, Chennai. Created design presentations for the same.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Certified for Rhinoceros Architecture November 2013 - January 2014 Completed a certificate course from BlueStone Institute of Design, Mumbai.

Dr.Baliram Hiray College of Architecture Inter-College Design Competition January 2011 3rd prize ETHOS SAINT GOBAIN Transparence National Design Competition November 2012 Special Mention in West Zone Regional Jury NASA National Annual Design Competition November 2013 Competition Head for undergraduate college Led 4 teams of 60 members to submit their entries for the competition.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACHIEVEMENTS Sports Secretary August 2011 - March 2012 Dr.Baliram Hiray College of Architecture Certified for photography April 2011- January 2012 Completed a certificate course from Udaan Photoschool, Mumbai, Maharastra, India sKINS November 2012 Paracentric design workshop for building performative surface Yes! IAm The Change presented by Yes Foundation October 2013 One of the top 30 contenders for the Best Short Film

INTERESTS • Bottle Painting • Film making • Psychology • Sports • Martial arts

Urban Closed Loop Systems A Biomimicry approach: Thesis With this thesis we are interested in emulating the synergy achieved in nature across various scales (e.g. genes-species-ecosystems) for improving the condition of our city. What is the intervention that the city needs? How can we contribute to human and environmental good by learning about Nature? We realize how brilliant nature is as we keep moving towards technology.

Its various forms, processes and systems evolved over 3.8 billion years serve as an ideal example for us to mimic. Various components work together making the natural ecosystems flexible and adaptable. A detailed study of what these components are and how they work together has led to defining the program for this thesis. The city needs to develop closed loop systems. Systems that can react to changing conditions and adapt itself. Darwin’s theory of natural selection meant that only those species better designed for an immediate local environment are more likely to survive. Hence we need to develop systems that can help us not just survive but thrive in our local conditions.

Firstly, the city needs to develop closed loop decision making process. We need our own “Urban Scientists” along with a space for them and their experiments. Multi-disciplinary interactions between people from various fields need to be encouraged. The outcome of these discussions should be made public, not just at the final level but also at the intermediary level. This way the designers can understand the views of the people, and keep that in mind while drafting the proposal. This way, the proposals will have more of a social backing and can hence lead to social reforms.

Secondly, we need to think how can architecture be sustainable and unconstrained at the same time? “Hedonistic Sustainability” should be our goal. Nature achieves this to its full potential because of its holistic approach. We should aim to achieve that. We should preserve and maintain healthy water supply, use renewable sources of energy, reuse instead of recycle and produce our own food. The challenge is to connect these various motives i.e. food-energy-water into self sustaining closed loop systems.

This thesis approaches biomimicry in theory, application and practice. It investigates how the various strategies can be applied successfully in architecture and design.

This modified urbanism, called “Human Urbanism”, is based on the process of finding and expressing the spirit of a community through observation, analysis, proposals and feedbacks, integrating local culture through the process.

That project offers a setting for an exciting new place in the city. A place that is inspiring to visit. And a place that invites passers-by to pause, spend some time and take in the scene: experiencing architecture, visiting the park, enjoying food and drink or simply taking in the view of the sea. And as they are encouraged to pause, they are likely to notice the exhibits and engage in dialogues with the concerned professionals. Thus building “Social Communities”.

POST-GRADUATE SCHOOL AMPHITHEATRE FOR EVENTS, SEMINAR & CONFERENCE

WALKWAY/PROMENADE FREE SPACES TO RENT CO-WORKING SPACE

ORGANIC FARM STORAGE

GARDENS BICYCLE TRACK LEISURE FACILITIES

ANEROBIC DIGESTION OXYGENATED CELLS POLISHING POND

VOCATIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOPS AUDIO-VISUAL ROOM

PERMANENT EXHIBITS TEMPORARY EXHIBITS

PROGRAM

HOLISM & SYNERGY

Structural condition

demolished bad normal relatively good

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The site is centerally located at the heart of the city. It is conviniently accessible by road, and also lies in close proximity to the railway station. Such a location is important to serve the purpose of the program, which is to create triggers for urban regeneration to take place. The site has the potential to act as an active hub for effective social interaction. India United Mill No.6 is now a defunct mill.

But it is a symbol of the city’s trade and commerce. It is an integral part of the city’s history.

Hence redesign by adaptive reuse has been looked upon as an oppurtunity to conserve the city’s past.

It fulfills an important biomimicry strategy i.e maintaining integrity through self renewal.

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The site falls in I3 i.e. Special Industrial Zone Neighboring Land use includes majority of Residential Zone. It also includes institutions, industrial zones, telecommunications centre, recreational grounds, community & welfare centres, crematorium,public housing, memorial buildings & hospital.

New development in the area is mostly residential.

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Site documentation/sketches Existing Site plan Site photos/ Existing conditions Neighbourhood plan Neighbourhood study

Shivaji Park is a public park situated in Dadar, Mumbai. It is the largest park in the island city.

It is a cotton textile mill previously owned by Kohinoor textile ltd, to be redeveloped as Kohinoor Mill Mall.

Kasturchand Mills manufactured pen parts.

They made refills, ball pens, VV pens, jotters, jumbos.

Offers undergraduate and postgraduate diploma programs in catering,hotel management and nutrtition courses.

Kirti College is located on a beautiful palm-lined plot on the Dadar sea-face. It is a junior college and also offers degree courses.

A predominantly upper middle class residential zone, has also become a highly sought after residential area in Central Bombay.

Dadar has a railway station on the Western and the Central lines of the Suburban Railways and having terminals on both sides.

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01 Rendering / Courtyard 02 Section / Through school and research building 03 Floor plan / Site

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A mixed use program is proposed, complete with the post-graduate school and research centre, offices, public spaces, parking, exhibition areas, research facilities, conference rooms, library , restaurants and co-working spaces. This school, not only serves as a platform for multidisciplinary interaction between professionals of various fields and the public, but it also imparts the right kind of architectural education.

Architecture education and research will only benifit the city, when the practitioners and the community they are serving have a strong nexus. This calls for an amalgamation of various urban typologies which will not only feed the research centre with the necessary information, but also provide valuable feedback for constructive urban experiments to take place.

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01 Rendering / Decentralised Waste Water Treatment Plant (DEWATS)

ENERGY

COMPRESSED EARTH STABILISED BRICK (CSEB)

OPENABLE SKYLIGHTS Openable vents in the skylight helps cool the room and facilitates vertical circulation creating a light well, allowing daylight in to the interior

Courtyard can add a lot of air movement within a home as well as provide natural heating and cooling.

Loading/ Unloading

GEOTHERMAL SEA LOOP

COURTYARD

Geothermal system loops below sea level provide heating and cooling.

Courtyard can add a lot of air movement within a home as well as provide natural heating and cooling.

WATER

ANEROBIC TANK Next, the water enters the anaerobic tank. In the anaerobic tank, microbial organisms begin cleansing the waste water by digesting harmful substances in an oxygen free environment/

OXYGENATED CELLS

GEOTHERMAL SEA LOOP The wastewater reclamation cycle begins when wastewater enters the system through a reclamation tank. Solids settle and are decomposed by micro-organisms,allowing the rest of the water to flow out of the tank to the equilization tank.

CONSTRUCTED WETLAND EQUALIZATION TANK The equilization tank manages the supply and demand of the reclamation system by equilizing the flow of water ove rthe course of the day.This allows the system to operate efficiently.

The water leaves the tanks and enters the constructed wetlands. Water flows through gravel beneath the wetlands.Acting as a biofilter, microorganisms and native plants break down organmic materials,removing pollutants in the water.

FOOD COURTYARD

ORGANIC FARMING Food free of harmful chemicals and superior in nutrients is grown here. The farm partly caters to the requirements of the organic cafe.

But more importantly, the farm educates the visitors and helps in encouraging them to grow their own food

The water is then pumped through a series of oxygenated cells with tropical plants.Organisms living in their roots convert toxins into harmless elements,while these organisms use the nutrients from the plants to survive.At this stage of the wastewater reclamation system, the water appears and smells clean.

GREEN WALL Green walls are aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

They also purify the air and shield the building from sun, rain and thermal fluctuations.

GREEN ROOF Reduces the heat island effect and allows the growth of vegetation

PORCH Windows of the exhibition spaces are protected on the southern face from direct solar admission with a provision of a shaded porch.

RAIN CATCHMENT

POLISHING POND Finally,the water meets wastewater standards for non-portable use.This processed water is stored and used to flush toilets on site or dispersed into ponds on site and back into the aquifier. Water is drawn from the aquifier, used on site, and enters the wastewater reclamation system again.

GREEN WALL

GREEN ROOF

PERMEABLE PAVEMENT Reduces stormwater runoff, reduces heat island effect, and allows for growth of vegetation.

KINETIC LOUVERS Like vertical indoor blinds, this shading system would hang down in front of windows and could be pivoted left and right to adapt to the east and west orientations of the sun. But it would also be able to fold upwards to create a horizontal shade against the high afternoon sun.

Urban Algorithm Bandra, Mumbai The Urban Algorithm is an ideological prototype which can be used to evolve cities by the active participation of its creators - the masses. It is an abstract system of carefully functioning cogs: each inevitable and indespensable to the creation of the final product, the city.

The city in itself is not a strategic being. A city however is perfect in its initial shape, is never complete, never at rest. Thousands of acts everyday alter its lines in ways that are perceptible only over a certain stretch of time. This impermanence of built form prevents us from proposing a physical entity as a standardised prototype. Instead emphasis is laid on investigating the inhabitants and the progressive forces that drive them.

Keeping that in mind, an architectural system is envisioned consisting of porous elements stacked over each other around a network of cores. These levels serve as fragments of the city itself, in a dense composition. People are encouraged to build their own dwellings, while negotiating through this megastructure, thus sowing the seeds for indegenous, public oriented architecture.

“The City maybe looked upon as story, a pattern of relations between human groups, a production and distribution of space, and a set of linked decisions”. - Kevin Lynch The brief talks of a preset ‘vision’ in terms of creating platforms where varied activities of urbane life colide - from residential to commercial, integrated in a singular vision. In this journey the beginning and the end are distinctly visible; it is the ‘process’ of attaining this ideal state that will determine the effectiveness of this conception. The search for this enigmatic process becomes our contribution in the creation of vibrant new systems.

Spaces evolve through public participation. By allowing man to define his space, his environment becomes a reflection of his persona.

A stage for this organic growth and a plane of order to contain this order is the crux of this design. Over time these planes will be modified by human habitation.

The spaces will become multi-faceted permutations of time, matter and space.

To the protypical ‘framework’ , this process becomes an ‘algorithm’ of evolutionary steps. Imagine a formula with its ‘constants’ and ‘variables’. This algorithm generates a new pattern from the input.

The personalization and increments, differing for every individual, become the variables. When the prototype is subjected to parameters, a revolutionary vocabulary of local architecture is initiated.

This architecture converses with the people; it adapts to and grows with their differences and eccentricities. It assumes an identity embedded in the socio cultural matrix of its inhabitants. In its acceptance lie the seeds of timelessness.

Mumbai, our delirious collage of a city, may as well be the epitome of this nation. Grapling with its manifolds, it has evolved a distinct architectural lingo of its own. Shaping of this new vernacular has been hindered by the poor communication between the different units of our society. The government authority schemes out and finances different projects. The architecture professionals render forms to these visions. The public uses these creations and moulds them into environments.

SITE PLAN

SHOPPING MALL BANDRA KURLA COMPLEX, BANDRA. MUMBAI An entertainment mall is proposed to be designed in the commercial hub, Bandra Kurla Complex. The location being very prominent being close to the airport and sea link. It is visible from Sion Bandra link road and at the junction of the BKC entrance and hence it is important to make the structure iconic.The site is proposed by MMRDA as a commercial hub and entertainment centre.

The site falls within MMRDA as Special Planning A Authority under section 40 on MRTP Act. The site is flanked by BKC road on the north west and proposed Sion Bandra link road on the south.

MMRDA has constructed Mumbai’s first bicycle lane at BKC. The cycle track is a stretch of 13kms, aptly designed with signages for comfortable riding. This was taken into consideration while designing this building. Another important consideration was the waterfront site, which to me was an oppurtunity to create a dramatic statement to the skyline of the city.

The roof top garden serves as a much needed public space in this clustered city. Being at a vantage point, it offers extensive views of the nearby cityscape and can be accessed either on foot or on the bicycle. Combined with the facilities of the mall, it serves as a one point destination for the needs of the working man.

Portal frames have been provided for structural strength and as a shading device for the garden.

PORTAL FRAME

The mall can be experienced on two levels, as a calm stroll with ample time to absorb the surroundings and as a dynamic bicycle trip, keeping up with the fast pace of the city of Mumbai. It’s a new approach to sustainable design by making it more attractive and comfortable.Cycle up to the mall, cycle parking is provided at mid landings, where you can either park your cycle and enter the mall,or cycle all the way up to the roof garden. Designed to circulate within the mall, the cycle track ensures visibility of the stores without hampering pedestrian movement.Hence contributing to the revenue of the mall.

LANDSCAPE

BIKE PATH

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WALKING PATH

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Exploded view showing various facilities provided Internal mall view Section showing circulation through the mall

CYCLIST

PATRON

OLD AGE HOME KHARDI, MAHARASHTRA The brief demands a multi-residence facility intended for senior citizens. An apartment style room has to be provided for every person or couple. Facilities for meals, gatherings, recreational activities, health and hospital care are required.

Safety of old residents was of utmost importance while designing this facility. Hence, a careful adaptation of the Radburn pattern of planning was implemented. A clear segregation of the vehicular and pedestrian zone has been achieved. The superblock is a large block of land with houses grouped around small cul-de-sacs, each of which has an access road via the main roads. The remaining land inside the superblock is the park;the backbone of the neighbourhood (no-vehicle zone). A lifestyle of community concern, action and participation, Radburn satisfies the social and the physical needs of the residents.

01. circulation diagram

VEHICULAR

PEDESTRIAN

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Amenities View Internal Courtyard view Transition space between dwelling units Floor plan Section AA Section BB

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2BHK Row house 1BHK Staff Sick bay Studio 1BHK Studio Staff

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Reception Multipurpose hall Store Library Cul-de-sac drop off point

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Housing for the future Perungudi, Chennai Shelter has always been one of the basic necessities of man. A human being adapts to the environment and protects himself in his own shelter. This shelter, that is actually a derivative of the Latin word sheltron meaning shield, can be in the form of a cave, a small hut or even a palatial mansion. For each person, the connotation of this word could have a very different interpretation. However, when some basic tenets of community living are satisfied, it gives rise to an agglomeration of multiple units as housing which becomes a place to live in for many. The population on this earth is increasing drastically owing to which the horizontal spread in most situations has become difficult and almost impossible. The only way out seems to be a vertical habitat solution. The limited options that become available are of a low-rise, highdensity solution or a high-rise, low-density solution. The needs of people vary and one particular solution can never fit all.

The house is an appliance for carrying you, the city is a machine for plugging into.

-Archigram, David Concept The traditional, ethnic and innate approach to the building up of spaces dons the title of vernacular specific and critical to a region. India presents a plethora of culture, vernacular diversity.

The indelible mark of identity has been etched by an architecture indigenous to the vagaries in climate; a pattern which vibrates the cultural trends, lifestyle, spiritual and religious parameters.

The vernacular of a region exhibits the potential organizing spaces, evolving a strong architectural base enriching lives through their socio-cultural manifestations. An architecture that blends, absorbs and adapts. A new paradigm where the past, present and the future would be cited in harmony and speak a new vernacular.

The Agrahara is one such vernacular architecture concept Agrahara is the name given to the Brahmin quarter of a heterogenous village or to any village inhabited by Brahmins. The name originates from the fact that the agraharams have lines of houses on either side of the road and the temple to the village god at the centre, thus resembling a garland around the temple. According to the traditional Hindu practice of architecture and town-planning, an agraharam is held to be two rows of houses running north-south on either side of a road at one end of which would be a temple to Shiva and at the other end, a temple to Vishnu.

The Present Scenario • The buildings are clustered in a haphazard manner, irresponsive to the environs or future expansion strategies.

• Unused patches and site fringes become green areas.

Design Evolution

Linear conglomerations • The houses in the buildings today are disjoint vertical multiplications.

• By unifying them together, an optimum system of spaces is achieved.

• Green spaces, view points and various other positives are shared.

Horizontal stacking • The different functions of the building are spread out laterally, thus promoting interaction between people from various stratums.

Staggering of blocks • The different functions of the building are spread out laterally, thus promoting interaction between people from various stratums.

Formation of a community

• Transition spaces are created to connect people from different parts of the cultural ecosystem.

• Landscaping and waterbodies become an integral feature of the circulation.

Fabricating the membrane

• The membrane creates a sustainable environment by channeling the elements of nature.

• The membrane acts as a restraining device for the ecological habitat, effectively keeping out the pollutants and other undesirable effluents.

Internship Work Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Residence, Surat

Internship Work Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Blessing Ceremony, Chennai

Paracentric Canopy Paracentric design workshop for building performative surface Rhinoceros3D & Grasshopper workshop Team Project with 23 other students November 2012/ 2weeks

As a part of a week long parametric design and fabrication workshop held in Mumbai, the L.B.H. college of Architecture and Organisation Trans Craft have designed, fabricated and constructed a component based double curvature canopy surface.

The workshop aimed at experimenting and exploring emerging tools, techniques and technologies in the field of architecture and design that result in optimized structure, material use and environmental performance. The design was developed with parametric modelling tools like Grasshopper3d along with Ecotect and the fabrication included Laser and Router cutting.

Bottle painting Waste to art